The situation in Mali has taken a dangerous turn as fierce fighting erupted in the country’s northern region. Tuareg rebels, who have been engaged in a renewed conflict since August, claimed to have killed more than 80 soldiers, prompting retaliation from the army. The rebels have now taken control of the town of Bamba, further escalating tensions. The government has confirmed the attack on an army base in the Mopti region but has not provided further details.
The violence comes at a crucial time as UN peacekeepers, who have been present in Mali since 2013, are being withdrawn on the orders of the junta. This raises concerns about the stability and security of the country. Additionally, the deployment of Russian Wagner Group mercenaries in December 2021 has done little to curb the violence from both separatist and Islamist militant groups.
The recent clash in Bamba is significant because it marks the rebels’ farthest southern advance since the collapse of a 2015 peace deal. The rebels, who seek independence for northern Mali, are opposed to the army taking control of bases previously held by departing UN troops. This demonstrates the deep-rooted grievances and ongoing tensions that underlie the conflict.
The Tuareg rebels were initially allied with Islamist militant groups, but their divergent goals led to clashes. The intervention of France and the UN in 2012 prevented the militants from advancing further south towards the capital, Bamako. Although the rebels signed the Algiers peace agreement with the government in 2015, jihadist attacks persisted from desert bases.
This ongoing insurgency was one of the primary factors that led to Mali’s military coup in 2020, as the civilian government was accused of failing to address security concerns. The military, now in power, sought to end the militant attacks by requesting France’s withdrawal and enlisting the assistance of Wagner fighters. However, the violence targeting civilians has increased significantly this year, with both militant groups and the military/Wagner forces being responsible.
The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (Acled) reports a 38% increase in violence against civilians in Mali this year. One al-Qaeda-linked group was responsible for a third of the attacks, while the military and Wagner forces accounted for nearly a third as well. The tactics employed by Wagner, including torture, executions, and booby-trapping of corpses, have instilled fear and raised concerns about human rights violations. Acled warns that the reawakened Tuareg rebellion and growing jihadist insurgency pose serious threats to the stability and security of civilian areas throughout Mali.
The withdrawal of UN peacekeepers by the end of December adds further uncertainty to the situation. The country had placed its security hopes on the presence of Wagner forces, but their impact has been questionable. This crisis in Mali raises questions about the effectiveness of international interventions and the need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to address the underlying grievances of various groups in the country.
As the conflict escalates, attention must also be given to the impact on neighboring countries and the potential for regional destabilization. The international community must support efforts to restore peace and stability in Mali, ensuring the protection of civilian lives and addressing the root causes of the conflict. Settlements that address the legitimate concerns of different groups, including the Tuareg rebels, will be essential to achieving a lasting resolution.
In conclusion, the intensifying conflict in Mali, marked by the recent attack and control of Bamba by Tuareg rebels, poses significant challenges to the country’s stability and security. The withdrawal of UN peacekeepers and the deployment of Wagner forces have not succeeded in curbing the violence. The increasing attacks on civilians and the brutality of tactics used by both the militants and military/Wagner forces raise concerns about human rights violations. The international community must actively support efforts to restore peace and stability in Mali and address the underlying grievances that fuel the conflict.
